Some interesting line up moves for tonight’s game. It looks like Craig MacTavish has decided to send two veterans a message, as Kyle Brodziak and Dustin Penner will be in the press box tonight, and Robert Nilsson is back on the second line. Thanks to Ryan Rishaug from TSN, here are the lines.

The Penner benching is no surprise. He has shown virtually no emotion in any game this season. Penner has to learn to use his 240-pound frame to his advantage. Sure, he will never be a mean power forward, but he can’t be afraid to lean on an opposing player from time-to-time.

Brodziak benching can be explained by his lack of wanting to get involved physically against the Leafs. Twice in that game there were scrums that Matt Stajan and then Hagman both put a glove in his face and he didn’t react. I don’t think they expect him to be an agitator, but he can’t get pushed around by those types of players. Yesterday MacTavish said, “If a guy has zero across the scoresheet, he has to find a way to get involved. Rarely do other teams get annoyed playing us.”

Clearly that was a shot at both Penner and Brodziak.

Expect some fireworks tonight vs the Avs. With Tucker, Laperriere, Mcleod and McCormick in the lineup, you can bet that the message will be loud and clear, and the Oilers will play with some emotion and some sort of physical presence.

—Listen to Gregor weekdays from 3 to 6pm on TEAM 1260 Edmonton Sports Radio or online at www.justagame.ca.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

Who the hell told Pete Budaj that he was a number one goalie? What is this? First the leafs get blown out after destroying us, now this crap. Losing to the worst team in the NW. Should we just enter the Tavares sweepstakes now, or?

Dude we've had to put up with MacT for 8 years now. They won't fire him. I've been calling for it for 2 years now and it never seems to happen. No matter how badly we suck, giving away points is something that the Oilers organization just loves to do. That should have been 2 points for the Oilers and 0 for the Avalanche yet we always find a way to lose.

I think MacT can use some help in the offense department so that he can focus on getting our defensive zone work out of the NHL sewer (see PK). We haven't really had an offense-first kind of guy since Craig Simpson left for the CBC.

Denis Savard might be pricey but I think Katz has the pockets to hire an assisant coach/PP specialist...

the oilers have stated they wont have more assistant coaches than the already have. otherwise Rob Daum (who had his job completely jacked by worthless Buchberger) would still be working with the players instead of scouting.